Reliability of AncestryDNA via MyHeritage

[joeparkerUK]

Hi all,

I submitted a DNA test to AncestryDNA a few years back and it has been useful. I also uploaded the results to MyHeritage however there is a vast difference in the results.

AncestryDNA - 56% England, Wales & Northwestern Europe (predominantly the Midlands) / 44% Ireland

MyHeritage - 65% Irish, Scottish & Welsh, 29.5% Scandinavian, 4.5% North African and 1% Nigerian!

Am I missing something? Is MyHeritage not particularly reliable?

[Gadget]

They use different databases for ethnicity. Ancestry's is much bigger.

However, these estimates are not really reliable as yet and should all be treated as such.

Gadget

[avm228]

There are lots of threads on this. MyHeritage seems to have a particular propensity for pigeonholing those with English ancestry as “Scandinavian”.

Generally speaking, ethnicity estimates should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially tiny amounts from unexpected parts of the world which will often disappear when they next update their reference database. In my experience Ancestry’s estimate (using its huge database) actually corresponds to my paper trail (mostly English with bits of Scottish and Irish) whereas MyHeritage claims I am 0% English and something like 40% Scandinavian. There was a tiny bit of something African there for a short while until an upgrade happened.

[Gadget]

Just to add that one of the main advantages of My Heritage is their chromosome browser which can be essential to identifying matches. Ancestry, unlike most other DNA sites, doesn't have one and it seems that they have no plans to include one in their future enhancements.

[joeparkerUK]

Ahh excellent, thank guys.

So MyHeritage is better for specifics whereas Ancestry is better for a general picture - DNA wise, anyway.

[melba_schmelba]

Ahh excellent, thank guys.

So MyHeritage is better for specifics whereas Ancestry is better for a general picture - DNA wise, anyway.

I wouldn't really pay much attention to their ethnicity breakdown, the CEO has admitted it isn't very accurate. They keep promising they are going to bring in a more accurate algorithm, but it seems as if they have said that every 6 months for the past 2 years.